Fossil Fuels

2000 BC -- 1499

2000 BCE

2000 BC - Chinese First to Use Coal as an Energy Source

1st Century

2000 BCE

1st Century - Chinese First to Refine Petroleum (Oil) for Use as an Energy Source

Development

200 BCE

200 BC - Chinese Develop Natural Gas as an Energy Source

Continued

200 BCE

200 BC - Europeans Harness Water Energy to Power Mills

10th Century

10 BCE

10th Century - Windmills Built in Persia to Grind Grain and Pump Water

1712

Dec 22, 1712

First Steam Engine Developed in England to Pump Water Out of Coal Mines

1748

Dec 22, 1748

First Commercial Coal Production in US Begins in Richmond, Virginia

1700s

Dec 22, 2016

Coal Begins to Displace Use of Other Energies

1800

Dec 22, 2016

Process of Electrolysis Discovered

1821

Dec 22, 2016

First Natural Gas Well in US Is Drilled

1830

Dec 22, 2016

Coal Becomes Primary Locomotive (Train) Fuel in US, Displacing Wood

1830s

Dec 22, 2016

First Coal Powered Iron Forges Are Developed in New England